This is especially true for people learning English as a second language. To Make Sentences Easier to UnderstandĪctive voice is often easier to understand than passive voice. Passive: The course needs to be signed up by tomorrow.Īctive: You will need to sign up for the course by tomorrow. This is often seen in technical and persuasive writing, such as arguments or debates. When writing or speaking, using an active voice can add a tone of authority. Passive: The lamp was knocked over by a gust of wind.Īctive: A gust of wind knocked over the lamp. Using active voice can help you achieve this goal by eliminating unnecessary words. Using the most concise language possible when writing or speaking is better. To Write Shorter SentencesĪctive voice is often shorter and more straightforward than passive voice. There are certain instances when using active voice is always the better choice. Sarah was called on by the teacher to answer the question.Īctive voice is generally the preferred tone for writing and speaking as it makes the sentence more direct, shorter, and clear. The teacher called on Sarah to answer the question.

passive voice to distinguish the two clearly: Active Voice The table below shows a few examples of active vs. It can also lead to confusion about who or what is responsible for the action. This construction can make your writing sound weak or indecisive. In passive voice sentences, the subject is acted upon by the verb. This construction is usually shorter and clearer than its passive counterpart because it puts the subject before the verb, making it clear who is performing what action. In active voice sentences, the subject performs the action. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and it’s essential to be aware of the differences between them so you can choose the one that will work best for your particular situation. When writing, there are two main ways to communicate your ideas: active and passive voice. Passive Voice: What Are Their Differences? Mastering the use of active voice is a key part of persuasive writing, so make sure you take your time with this article and let it sink in. We hope this information will help you select the right voice for your writing projects. In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between active and passive voice with the help of use cases and discuss when each is most appropriate. That’s why writers need to know the difference between active and passive voice. When drafting a piece of writing, choosing the right voice to convey your message is important.

Passive versus active voice